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This folly, a whimsical structure, was intended
to blend in with the countryside with all
designs drawn from nature. The idea was that
this cottage was to appear to have sprung
up from the earth. This meant that every window
and door was slightly different from the next.
Verandah supports have the appearance of growing
from the ground with vines growing up around
the eaves. Inside the house, fireplace surrounds
have been hand made to look like cut logs,
wallpaper is of rustic scenes, curtains and
room fabrics match in a woodland pattern,
and furniture is also hand made and slightly
irregular, also based on nature. Even the
china has an out of doors pattern on them.
Nothing was spared.
It's amazing to think that this house was
actually in ruins until about 1990 when it
was bought by an American woman who wanted
to use it as a summer house on her trips to
Ireland. Up until then it had been used by
the local kids as a sort of hang out. It was
even more surprising that many of the original
features were in tact, including the spider
web patterened timber floor in the foyer.
The new owner couldn't afford the restoration
so it eventually found its way into the hands
of the state who now run it as an example
of the early 19th century gentry lifestyle.
The Swiss Cottage contains several charmingly
decorated rooms though it should be noted
that photographs are no longer allowed
to be taken inside the house.
The house is access either by a mile long
path beside Cahir
Castle or by driving down to the car park
from the town. There is a short walk from
the car park through the woods along the River
Suir to the entrance, which is actually through
the old kitchen.
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